Warning - Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel--Widespread Community Transmission

[brooklynite]

Source: Centers for Disease Control

What is the current situation?

CDC recommends that travelers avoid all nonessential travel to South Korea. There is limited access to adequate medical care in affected areas.

A novel coronavirus is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in South Korea. Illness with this virus has ranged from mild to severe. Signs and symptoms of infection include fever, cough, and difficulty breathing. Sore throat also has been reported in some patients. Some patients also have reported diarrhea without other symptoms. This new coronavirus has caused severe disease and death in patients who developed pneumonia. Risk factors for severe illness are not yet clear, although older adults and those with chronic medical conditions may be at higher risk for severe illness.

Read more: https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/notices/warning/coronavirus-south-korea

[NurseJackie]

1. Is this the same strain as the the one that began in China?

A novel coronavirus is causing an outbreak of respiratory illness (COVID-19) in South Korea.

Is this the same strain as the the one that began in China? Or does "novel" mean that it's a mutation or something new and different?

[Blues Heron]

2. Still has the same codename -I think it's the same.

[NurseJackie]

3. Thanks!

[brooklynite]

4. Yes; South Korea has the second largest outbreak.

[Joe Nation]

5. My son is getting ready to go to South Korea

He and his wife will be honeymooning in SK and Japan at the end of March. He seems to think that there are no issues and that it isn't any worse than the flu for someone his age. He won't take anyone's advice. He won't postpone the trip. What do you think?

[brooklynite]

6. There are two distinct issues: mortality and transmission

Your son is right that he and his partner are likely NOT at serious risk if they become infected. However, they ARE at risk of becoming a new transmission agent, and may end up being quarantined there or on their return.

[EarthFirst]

9. I'd be hard pressed to keep that itinerary myself...

It just isn’t worth the risk; and personally I’d feel a bit selfish.

[womanofthehills]

11. I read that Japan is cancelling many public events

[OnlinePoker]

7. I wonder how this will effect the Hadj to Mecca this year

Will people stay away because of fear of the virus or go to get right with god, taking the risk of infection? Millions from around the world all concentrated in one area for days would be the perfect incubator. This takes place at the end of July this year.

[mnhtnbb]

8. I have a friend--who lives in NYC--who was in South Korea last week and now Japan for work.

I wonder if they will pull her aside when she clears Immigration coming home to test her.

If it had been me, I would have canceled the trip.

[raccoon]

10. I wonder if it's in North Korea too but they aren't reporting it. Nt

[Javaman]

12. they quarantined a bunch of people yesterday...

(I'm sure they have their own cases as well)

Coronavirus: North Korea quarantines foreigners

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-asia-51609360

North Korea has quarantined 380 foreigners in an attempt to stop the coronavirus from breaking out.

The foreigners are mostly diplomats stationed in the capital Pyongyang, state media reported.

About 200 foreigners had already been confined to their compounds for the past 30 days - but as that came to an end, the quarantine has been extended.

North Korea has not reported any cases of Covid-19, but several other countries did so on Monday.

Afghanistan and Dubai said they had detected their first cases, and Kuwait said three people returning from Iran had been infected.

more at link....